France defeats Poland to clinch its first victory

With no victories since the beginning of the 2013 World
League, France and Poland shared a common goal while competing in Rouen on Friday
night: securing a first win.

Playing in a loud KinderArena packed with a mix of French
and Polish fans, France started the game in a very clean and efficient. France led the first set from the
beginning. French head coach Laurent Tillie chose former Brasilian Rafael Redwitz as first setter. France took a fast start, to
lead 8-7, then 16-14, to finally conclude the set 25-23 in 35 minutes.

But, as expected, Poland reacted as the Polish typically do, with a strong serve and a solid block. Poland needed 30 minutes to tie the
game 25-21. They then looked just as impressive in the third set, winning 25-22.

The fourth set started exactly the same way, with Poland
leading and the young French team forced to fight on every single point just to
stay alive. At 16-11, Poland seemed destined for their first success in
the World League. But France, pushed by an enthusiastic crowd, decided to show how talended they can be on a volleyball coard. Leaded
by their setter and captain, the young Benjamin Toniutti, who served 2 aces, France survived to tie the game 25-21.

The tie-break was all blue. France sped to the lead like a sport car,
driven by Earvin Ngapeth, the team's leading scorer with 20
points. Poland could not recover. France needed only two match points to conclude
the game 15-11, with Earvin Ngapeth clinching the set with a decisive
spike.

Winner of the World League last year, Poland lost their
third game in a row. For France, this victory came at the best time, after two
defeat at home against Bulgaria and then two more on the road against Team USA.

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